Miller Dedication

The Thiel College family is saddened by the passing of beloved Professor David Miller ’61 H’20

Emeritus Professor of Business and Accounting David Miller ’61 H’20 passed away October 23.

Miller retired in 2020 after 57 years at the College. He was the longest-tenured faculty member in school history and taught and advised more students than anyone else in the school’s 157-year history.

“We will miss Professor Miller more than words can express. He was not just our colleague but our good friend. Our hearts go out to the entire Miller family,” President Susan Traverso, Ph.D. said. “Professor Miller will be a part of Thiel forever. While we grieve his loss, we can take comfort and inspiration from the gracious and caring way he lived his life and touched the lives of so many.”

Miller created the business seminar class where each spring students get experience in a formal dinner setting, are introduced to etiquette lessons and connect with the College’s business alumni. The seminar was later named the Ruth Miller Business Seminar in honor of his wife, who also served as campus nurse at Thiel College. Miller was a graduate of Mercer High School, Thiel College, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He was a licensed funeral director from 1965 until 1993. Miller helped Thiel create a partnership with PIMS, allowing students to earn a business degree and become licensed funeral directors. David and Ruth Miller were both awarded honorary doctorates in early 2020. He was appointed the first recipient of the Norman P. Mortensen Endowed Chair of Economics in 1990. With support from hundreds of alumni and friends of the College, Thiel established the David Miller ’61 Endowed Chair of Accounting in 2016.

Thiel College collected thoughts and memories of Miller from his students. What follows are just a handful of the submissions that represent the different majors and different decades of students he touched through his lifetime of work.

“Professor David Miller was the first person I met on Thiel College's campus. His charisma and smile were welcoming. He motivated me to continue working hard and he pushed me to do better.” – Quinn Ursprung ’20 “I look back on my time at Thiel College and remember when I was struggling with major depression, and Professor Miller was there to talk with me and get me on a better path mentally. He was kind and empathetic, but stern and always wanted the best for you. He always had a smile on his face that would light up a room and a presence that would command the attention of all who were in it. Professor Miller wasn’t one of the best, he was the best.” – Jocelyn Bracken ’21 “Professor Miller was a huge supporter of the arts. As an art student he fully sponsored my internship at the Mercer Historical Society to paint a mural for their exhibit. Later after graduation, he commissioned art as well. I never had him as a professor, but he supported me in incredible ways.” – Benjamin Beck ’10

“Professor Miller was my favorite teacher. While earning my degree, I played in a local rock band, the Exposition Flyer, and since I was a business major, I was the band’s business manager. Professor Miller thought that was a unique situation; earning a business degree and at the same time applying that knowledge in a current, real-life scenario. Sadly, I never used my business degree as I became a USAF fighter pilot and spent 50 years in aviation. But without a doubt, Professor Miller had me ready and prepared to tackle the business world.” – Jim Greider ’70 “Professor Miller was a major inspiration to me. I miss our everyday talks when walking past his office to go to class. He was such a kind and caring man with so much energy and enthusiasm, it was contagious.” – Ashtin Kirkwood ’21 “Professor Miller was the heart of Thiel. I only had one class with him unfortunately. A few years ago, I emailed him for his 80th birthday assuming he would not possibly remember me. Not only did I receive a gracious response, he expressed recollection of me. So indicative of his interest and support of his students. A sad time for the Thiel Community but his presence made a tremendous difference. I hope the family is lifted up by the outpouring of sympathy.” – Denise (Boustead) Muha ’81 “My Thiel education would not have been the experience it was without the guidance and encouragement of Professor Miller. I was honored over the years to come back and speak to the students.” – Maggie (Norris) Boose ’78

More Online

• Watch the celebration of life gathering at bit.ly/TCMillerCelebration • Read a profile of Professor Miller in the Spring 2020 edition of The Bell at thiel.edu/alumni